Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz arrived in France today for a three-day official visit. The Crown Prince and his delegation, which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal, were met at the airport in Paris by French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Also today, Crown Prince Sultan and French President Jacques Chirac met for talks, focusing on the situation in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian lands. In addition, the two leaders discussed other international issues and bilateral relations.

In a statement to the Jeddah-based Al-Madinah prior to the Crown Prince’s arrival, French President Jacques Chirac highlighted the importance of the visit and noted that it would further strengthen Saudi-French relations.

President Chirac visited Saudi Arabia in March of this year. While in the Kingdom he made a historic address to the Shura Council, the first foreign dignitary to do so.